Veterinary medicine for horses encompasses the study and application of medical practices to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in equine species. This field involves a comprehensive understanding of equine anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology. Veterinary practitioners employ a range of diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions to address health issues in horses, including lameness, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory conditions, and infectious diseases. Preventative care, such as vaccination and deworming programs, is also a significant aspect of equine veterinary medicine. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of veterinary medicine as it pertains to horses, including advancements in diagnostic techniques, treatment protocols, and preventive health strategies.
FEGLER G.1. Volume p.c. of r.b.c., hæmoglobin concentration, relative viscosity of the plasma and blood, and the sedimentation rate of the r.b.c. have been estimated on 7 healthy horses.
2. Increase in the volume p.c. of r.b.c. was found in the excited or working horse. The concentration of r.b.c. in blood from the jugular vein in horses at rest is rather low in comparison with other animals.
3. Increase in the Hb. g. p.c./r.b.c. V. p.c. ratio was found in cases with the higher volume p.c. of r.b.c. with a significant correlation coefficient.
4. Apparent relative viscosity of horse blood at h...
Santos L, Werfel K, Ferlini-Agne G.Accurate measurement of haemoglobin concentration is crucial for monitoring the oxygen-carrying capacity in anaesthetised horses. This prospective study aimed to determine the agreement in haemoglobin concentration in anaesthetised horses using the SpHb pulse co-oximeter, an Epoc® blood gas analyser, and values derived from packed cell volume (PCV), which served as the reference method in this study. The study included 34 horses undergoing elective surgeries. Blood samples were collected from each horse and divided for analysis using the microhaematocrit method to estimate haemoglobin concent...
Rossi HS, Mykkänen AK, Teppo AM, Junnila JJT, Hyytiäinen HK.Pneumonia is a common condition in young, hospitalized foals, causing accumulation of inflammatory secretions to the airways. In humans, respiratory physiotherapy is commonly used as a supplementary treatment for pneumonia with varying results regarding its efficacy, but the efficacy in foals has not been assessed to date. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of respiratory physiotherapy as a supplementary therapy method for young foals with pneumonia. Methods: A total of 44 foals with pneumonia aged under a month were used. The prospective intervention group receivi...
Clarysse M, Bertier P, Verpaele S, Madsen AM, Vlaminck L.Equine dental disorders, such as sharp enamel points and focal overgrowths, are common in horses and are often treated with motorized dental grinding tools. These tools, while effective, produce dust and aerosols that may pose health risks to veterinarians and nearby individuals. This study aimed to assess the health risks associated with dental dust and aerosols generated during equine odontoplasty. Using a realistic setup, air concentrations of inhalable and respirable dust, crystalline silica, and airborne microorganisms and endotoxins were measured in 12 groups of horses undergoing odontop...
van Spijk JN, Junge HK, Eberhardt C, Wolf N, Vogt D, Zscherpe P, Herger E, Straub M, Schwarzwald CC.Echocardiographic evaluation of right heart (RH) size and function in horses is challenging and relies on subjective assessment. Objective: Evaluate inter- and intra-rater agreement of subjective assessment of RH size, RH function, and the presence of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in horses. Assess subjective RH changes with and without PHT and the influence of observer experience. Methods: Healthy horses (n = 30) and horses with Doppler measurements suggesting the presence or absence of PHT (n = 30 each). Methods: Nine standard echocardiographic recordings were analyzed by experienced ...
Knudsen AR, Marsh JS, Pye JL.To describe reproductive performance in Thoroughbred broodmares post-large colon resection and to compare to performance post-colopexy. Methods: A single-institution retrospective study. Methods: A total of 29 client-owned horses: post-large colon resection (LCR) n = 19, post-colopexy: n = 10. Methods: Thoroughbred broodmares that survived until discharge following LCR (Group R) or colopexy (Group P) between 2006 and 2023 were included. Clinical data were collected from clinical records. Breeding and foaling data were collected from the Australian and New Zealand Studbooks. Statistical...
de Souza Lima E, de Oliveira Filho RB, Malta KC, Pires IC, Rosa DS, Chideroli RT, Aburjaile FF, de Jesus Sousa T, Ramos RTJ, Góes-Neto A....Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is a bacterium that causes significant economic damage to farmers, mainly in the semiarid region of Northeastern Brazil. In this context, only biovar ovis has been reported, and it is widespread in small ruminants. However, this report describes the first equine case in Brazil attributable to a biovar equi. Clinically, it is the causative agent of ulcerative lymphangitis, mastitis, necrotic and ulcerative dermatitis. A Quarter Horse from the semiarid Northeast presented ulcerative lymphangitis. Culture, nitrate reduction test, MALDI-TOF, and whole-genome sequ...
Firdausy LW, Fikri F, Wicaksono AP, Çalışkan H, Purnama MTE.Trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease with significant implications for animal health and rural livelihoods in Indonesia. Despite surveillance efforts, comprehensive national-level estimates of its prevalence in domesticated animals remain lacking. This study aimed to synthesize the pooled prevalence of trypanosomiasis across Indonesian provinces, identify contributing factors, and assess trends over time using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Unassigned: A systematic search was conducted in seven electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Cochrane...
Guayaquil G, Chávez C, Enríquez S, Arrivillaga-Henríquez J, Vaca F, Eleizalde MC, Mendoza M, Pedelini L, Martínez-Fresneda M, Uzcanga GL....Trypanosoma evansi, a protozoan parasite of the Trypanozoon subgenus, infects domestic and wild animals, and occasionally humans, worldwide. Despite its significant impact on livestock production, epidemiological studies and molecular analyses of T. evansi based on variant surface glycoproteins (VSG) remain limited in South America. We report the first molecular identification of T. evansi in two localities in the Ecuadorian Amazon and provide phylogenetic and structural analyses of the VSG RoTat 1.2 fragment. Using a retrospective biobank approach, we analyzed DNA from blood samples of dogs a...
Kerley BS, Harris P, Jacquay E, Askins M, McClendon M, Adams AA.Feeding small meals (∼1 g/kg BW DM basis) providing >10% nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC; starch + water soluble carbohydrate; WSC) has resulted in an augmented insulin response (AIR) in insulin dysregulated (ID) horses, but it's unclear if AIR reflects NSC content or the g NSC/kg BW/meal. Objective: The insulinemic responses of ID (n = 7) and non-insulin dysregulated (NID; n = 8) horses fed four feeds (A = 6.8% NSC; B = 14.9% NSC; C = 35.5% NSC; D = 44.6% NSC) at three levels of NSC intake (0.06, 0.11-0.12 and 0.17-0.18 g/kg BW) were evaluated in a randomized Latin square design across two...
Akinniyi OO, Lawal TR, Rufai N, Jolayemi KO, Amaje J.African horse sickness (AHS) is endemic in Nigeria. Despite this, little is known about the perspective of horse handlers in Nigeria regarding AHS. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) of horse handlers in Southwest Nigeria regarding AHS. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted, which involved convenient sampling of 131 horse handlers in Lagos and Oyo States by February - April 2024. The pre-validated questionnaires were administered via face-to-face interviews, covering demographics, knowledge of AHS transmission, clinical signs, prevention and cont...
Couto G, Grippo A, Ismer A, Hoogewijs M, Pedro B, Vasconcelos L, Santos G, Wilsher S.Vitrified in vitro-produced embryos can be successfully warmed in isotonic media at room temperature (RT; 22°C). However, this protocol has not been reported for in vivo embryos, which are more challenging to vitrify and warm. Study objectives were to see if vitrified in vivo embryos warmed in RT isotonic medium gave equivalent pregnancy rates to stepwise serial dilution warming, and if embryo size influenced the results. One hundred and seventeen embryos were divided into groups by size (G1:≤ 300 μm, n = 59; G2:> 300-400 μm, n = 33; G3:> 400-500 μm, n = ...
Hernández-Avilés C.Sperm quality analysis using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems and fluorescence-based techniques has become common in the animal reproduction industry, particularly for large animals (i.e., bovine, porcine, equine). In this chapter, the methods commonly utilized in the author's laboratory to examine sperm motion characteristics via CASA and plasma membrane intactness by flow cytometry will be described. These include methods to properly dilute fresh (stallions, bulls, boars), cool-stored (stallions, boars), or frozen/thawed (stallions, bulls, boars) sperm for assessment of sperm ...
Tumber MR, Burke MK.Lameness in horses resulting from foot pathology is very common. When investigating the cause of a lameness localised to the foot, the first step is most frequently radiographic imaging. Therefore, being able to identify normal anatomy and recognise pathology on radiographs is important for a veterinary medicine student to learn. Computer-aided learning (CAL) is becoming increasingly utilised in the teaching of students on medicine-related courses, especially post-COVID where online learning has been continued in hybridisation with in-person teaching.In this study, a low-cost CAL module was cr...
Mikaiel T, Waller A, Foote A, Cardwell JM, Mitchell J, Priestnall SL.Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is a commensal opportunistic bacterium associated with outbreaks of equine respiratory disease alongside a diverse range of diseases in various species. The closely related Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) is the causative agent of 'strangles', the most frequently diagnosed contagious equine disease. Despite differing clinical signs, the two subspecies share approximately 97 % DNA homology and respectively present serious equine health and welfare concerns. Currently there are few PCR assays targeting unique regions of...
Aziz KJ, Issa NA, Mikaeel FB, Ismael SS.This study investigated the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of Parascaris equorum (P. equorum) infection in equids using both parasitological and molecular methods. Data on age, sex, body condition, and housing conditions were systematically collected to evaluate their influence on infection risk. Fecal samples from 294 equines (148 horses, 47 mules, 63 donkeys, and 36 ponies) were examined microscopically using direct wet-mount and flotation techniques, with infection intensity quantified using the McMaster technique to determine eggs per gram (EPG). Molecular confirmation ...
Perkins GA, Wagner B, Rollins A, Sfraga H, Pearson E, Cercone M.To apply equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) antibody testing in nasal swabs and serum in nonclinical horses during a naturally occurring outbreak of (EHV-1). Previous experimental EHV-1 challenge studies showed stable serum anti-EHV-1 antibody concentrations paired with rapidly increasing nasal mucosal antibodies (mucAbs) prevent EHV-1 infection, viral shedding, and cell-associated viremia. From this, we hypothesized that EHV-1 antibody testing can confirm exposure in non-clinical horses during an outbreak. Unassigned: 2 horses with neurological signs from 1 farm were admitted to an equine hosp...
Kamm JL, Odegaard J, Gaida J, King N.This tutorial aims to illustrate and instruct on the technique of punch skin grafting in the horse. Unassigned: A 10-year-old paint gelding with a 9 X 6-cm chronic granulating wound to the left forelimb was utilized for this tutorial. Unassigned: The chronic wound was debrided with sharp dissection, and the limb was pressure bandaged overnight. Twenty-four hours later, the horse was sedated for punch skin grafting. The ventral pectoral region was aseptically prepared for skin harvest and locally anesthetized. An 8-mm biopsy punch was used to harvest the grafts. The subcutaneous tissue was then...
Yeomans A, Hampson R, Razemba T.Special considerations for donkeys undergoing castration compared with horses include the presence of large scrotal vessels, larger testicular artery and vein and the consequential increased risk of post-operative haemorrhage which necessitates spermatic cord ligation. Objective: This retrospective study compares haemorrhagic complication rates between two methods of spermatic cord ligation in donkeys castrated in rural Malawi. Methods: All donkeys presenting to Veterinary Education Malawi / Lilongwe Society for the Protection and Care of Animals rural large animal outreach clinics for castrat...
Ruspi BD, Bramlage LR, Ruggles AJ, Slone SA.To report the rate of survival, rate of return to racing, and quality of racing performance following surgical fixation of medial condylar fractures. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: A total of 150 Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses surgically treated for medial condylar fracture (100 lag screw fixation, 50 plate fixation). Methods: Medical records, radiographs, and racing databases (2000-2020) were reviewed to collect signalment, fracture characteristics, fixation methods, survival rate, and complication rate. Change in racing performance was assessed using Wilcoxon rank sum tests...
Zhang XX, Huang X, Li XQ, Wang ZY, Jiang Y, Jiao X, Li Q, Wang J, Zhong FG.Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky ST198 has been increasingly reported in diverse sources worldwide, emerging as a globally epidemic clone. In this study, we aim to characterise the first isolated S. Kentucky ST198 strain from a horse in China. Methods: Twelve faecal samples were collected from horses at a farm in Shihezi, Xinjiang Province, China, and investigated for the presence of Salmonella. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of 15 antimicrobial agents were determined using the broth microdilution method. The whole genome of Sal140 was sequenced using the Illumina Hiseq platform and...
McCarthy J, Cameron-Whytock HA, Bennet ED.Thoroughbred racing is a major industry, and in recent years, public concerns about equine safety have become more prominent, particularly in relation to on-track injuries and fatalities. This has challenged the industry's social licence to operate (SLO). Objective: To investigate and elucidate how UK and Irish racing stakeholders perceive risks to racehorses on race day and how those risks should be managed. Methods: Qualitative analysis of stakeholder perspectives using a constructionist approach. Methods: Twelve stakeholders from veterinary, communication and regulatory sectors within racin...
Strand E, Vermedal H, Olsen HMB, Fjordbakk CT, Fretheim-Kelly ZL.Clinical evaluation of alar fold (AF) collapse is presently based upon subjective evaluation of improvement in breathing and respiratory noise after suturing the AFs dorsally. Objective: To evaluate use of nasopharyngeal airway pressure (NAP) as an objective method of assessing for the presence of AF collapse during exercise. NAPs should also potentially provide a precise means to grade the degree of airway obstruction present and response to surgical treatment. Methods: Prospective clinical study of actively racing Standardbred horses. Methods: Standardbreds undergoing this test were outfitte...
Stucki G, Valet S, Fuerst AE, Weisse B, Jackson MA.The aim of this study was to compare the strength (load at failure) and the number of cycles to failure of 3.5- and 4.0-mm cortical screw-bone constructs for repair of navicular bone fractures in horses.This was an in vitro biomechanical study that used a four-point bending apparatus to determine the load at failure of 3.5- and 4.0-mm cortical screw-bone constructs subjected to static and cyclic loading.In static testing, pairwise comparison of 4.0-mm cortical screw-bone constructs demonstrated significantly greater strength (mean increase: +16%, = 0.0135) compared with those in the 3.5-m...
Arshad A, Reif AH, Cavalleri JV, Desvars-Larrive A.Equids serve diverse roles in contemporary society. Their use as companion animals, in sports, transportation, and food production brings them into close contact with humans, creating potential zoonotic risks. This review had two objectives: (i) to catalogue zoonotic pathogens detected in equids across Central Europe, and (ii) to analyse research trends and collaborations in equid zoonosis studies within the region. We conducted a systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines to identify publications on naturally occurring zoonotic pathogens in equids from nine countries: Austria, t...
Garcia-Collao MR, Curtiss AL, Hogan PM.To describe the outcomes of arthroscopic debridement of third carpal bone (C3) incomplete slab fractures (ISF) in racehorses. Methods: Retrospective case study. Methods: Horses undergoing arthroscopic debridement of ISF of C3. Methods: The medical records of horses surgically treated for ISF of C3 were reviewed. Age, sex, breed, limb, fracture configuration, preoperative radiographs, arthroscopic findings, postoperative intraarticular therapies, and exercise recommendations were recorded. Racing performance was obtained from online databases. Univariable analyses were used to determine associa...
Kuroda T, Minamijima Y, Niwa H, Mita H, Nomura M, Ohta M.A pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) approach was used to determine the dosage regimens of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections after intravenous (IV) and per os (PO) administration in horses. Methods: Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole plasma concentrations were measured in six horses after a single IV administration of 15 mg/kg (2.5 mg/kg trimethoprim and 12.5 mg/kg sulfamethoxazole) and PO administration of 30 mg/kg (5.0 mg/kg trimethoprim and 25.0 mg/kg sulfamethoxazole). The data were modeled using a nonlinear mixed-effects mode...
Irving J, Pineau V, Shultz S, Ter Woort F, Julien F, Lambey S, van Erck-Westergren E.Equine gastric disease (EGD) is a common condition in performance horses (), potentially compromising behaviour, performance, and welfare. EGD is often attributed to high-starch, high-sugar feeds and limited forage. Evidence for diet-induced changes on digestive microbiota is lacking. Nine elite showjumping horses were housed at the same performance yard with standardised diet and management throughout the study. Horses were transitioned from a high-sugar and -starch (31%) feed to a low-starch and -sugar (16.5%) concentrate feed. Gastroscopies, blood, and faecal samples were taken pre- and 12 ...
Fennouh C, Mokrani D, Dahmani H, Salhi O, Ouchetati I, Nabi M, Aouina K, Chettih I, Ouchene N, Khelifi Touhami NA.Fasciolosis, a parasitic disease of ruminants, poses significant economic and animal-health challenges in Algeria. This study aimed to assess spatial, temporal, and species-specific patterns of fasciolosis prevalence across diverse agro-climatic zones and to estimate associated economic losses. Between 2013 and 2023, eight wilayas El-Tarf, Skikda, Jijel (Region I), Blida, Mila (Region II), and M'Sila, Medea, Laghouat (Region III) were surveyed. Systematic postmortem inspections of 1,569,392 animals (349,176 cattle; 982,669 sheep; 235,639 goats; 1,882 camels; 26 horses) were performed by qualif...
Ryan CA, Berry DP, Bugno-Poniewierska M, Burke MK, Raudsepp T, Egan S, Doyle JL.Autosomal trisomy, a genetic disorder characterized by the presence of an extra autosome, is a rare but important chromosomal abnormality in horses, often associated with infertility, developmental abnormalities, and reduced life expectancy. This study represents the largest population-level screening for autosomal trisomy in horses; the analysis used single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel genotype intensity data from 17,078 horses, 6601 of which were juveniles (i.e., ≤12 months of age) when genotyped. Using methodologies adapted from similar screening studies in cattle, the only aneuplo...
